BOBBY UNSER CONVICTED ON WILDERNESS LAW

Compiled by Jack ThompsonCHICAGO TRIBUNE

Bobby Unser went through a "harrowing, life-threatening" experience when he was lost for two days in Colorado's back country, a federal judge said before convicting the three-time Indy 500 winner of illegally driving his snowmobile in a federal wilderness area.

U.S. District Judge Lewis Babcock fined Unser $75.

Unser, 63, could have faced a $5,000 fine and up to six months in prison for the misdemeanor charge.

But he said, "it's not about money," and added that he "almost assuredly" will appeal to the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The Wilderness Act of 1964 forbids use of motor vehicles in such areas.